MILWAUKEE - Martin Alba has signed a National Letter of Intent and joins the Marquette University men's soccer team's nationally ranked 2014 recruiting class, the program announced last Friday on its Twitter account (@marquettesoccer).

Alba, currently a central midfielder for the Chicago Fire Academy (U-18), is ranked among the top-100 players in the 2014 recruiting class by both TopDrawerSoccer.com and College Soccer News. He joins a Golden Eagles' top-10 recruiting class that consists of fellow MU commits Andrija Novakovich, Danny Jarosz and Colin Koerber.

"Adding Martin will give us quality, balance and depth," said Marquette head coach Louis Bennett. "His vision, ability to move the ball in and out of pressure and his ambition are a great fit for our style, culture and system. As important, Marquette is a great fit for Martin.

"Martin joins a quality recruiting class that will join a quality returning squad that echoes the vision and direction of our program. Credit to the soccer staff and facility that continue to share and help us make this happen," Bennett added.

The Chicago-area native helped the Chicago Fire Juniors win the 2011 Illinois State Cup as well as regional and US Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) U-15 national championships. Alba's U-14 Eclipse Select team also won all three titles the previous year.

Alba will be eligible to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning this fall.